Forum staff has been hard at work getting the Forum's new integrated Drupal-Salesforce system ready for launch. We're almost there but not done yet. There are still a few fixes and updates to be made, but we're so proud of this new site, we couldn't keep it to ourselves much longer! You can check out a sneak peek of our new site by visiting: 

http://live-givingforum.gotpantheon.com.

This site is for all of you, our members. Please take some time to explore, poke around, test things out, and share your feedback by contacting Val Rozansky or Dan Brady by Friday, February 7th. We need your input!

The new site offers enhanced features such as:

• Clear, intuitive navigation to the resources you want
• Advanced search engine with results filtering
• Related news, resources, and events in the sidebar of content to point you to similar items of interest
• A revamped, robust Knowledgebase of grantmaker resources

We have exciting plans for the new site, including integration with Salesforce before the public launch at the end of February.  Once we integrate the site with our Salesforce database, users will also experience:

• An enhanced user profile with customized access to resources and events that match your interest
• Access to secure, private materials for groups and committees
• Ability to register yourself and anyone in your organization for events
• Simple interface to edit your individual profiles including areas of interest
• ...and much more

Over the past several years the Forum has collaborated with the Council on Foundations on the Essential Skills & Strategies for New Grantmakers (ESS) curriculum, which has been successfully implemented in several regional associations.  We would like to increase the utilization of this valuable curriculum and want to hear how you are using it, as well as what you think would be the most helpful type of support the Forum and Council could provide. If you haven't used the curriculum, we want to hear from you as well.

Please respond to this quick survey, which should take 5 minutes to complete, by Wednesday, January 29.

Questions about the conference? Contact Mary O'Neill (703-879-0811) or Courtney Moore (703-879-0809).

Registration for Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) and other Philanthropy Week in Washington events including the ACR Summit for Leaders is now available online. The registration fee for FOTH remains $100. Delegation captains will receive a weekly registration update on the FOTH listserve with details on who has registered from your delegation.

Website

Don't forget to visit the updated website, www.foundationsonthehill.org, for up-to-date information and resources including hotel information, legislative resources, and meeting planning resources.

Hotel

The opening reception, ACR Summit, and lunch on Wednesday will take place at the Embassy Suites Washington D.C. - Convention Center, located at 900 10th Street NW.  A block of rooms for FOTH participants is available at $289 a night.  Reservations can be made online or by calling 202-739-2001 and referencing the "Council on Foundations' Foundations on the Hill" room. The room block will close on Friday, February 14 so make your reservations now!

Philanthropy Week in Washington

This year's FOTH will be part of an overall week of activity hosted by the Council on Foundations. Monday and Friday will involve traditional and social media opportunities and DC-based activities will begin with a welcome reception on Tuesday, March 4 at 5:30 pm. The Alliance for Charitable Reform's annual Summit for Leaders will be the morning of March 5 followed by a lunch and the kick-off of Foundations on the Hill. More information about Philanthropy Week and an agenda are available on the Council's website. 

• Roles & Responsibilities of Delegation Captains
• A Delegation Captain's Guide for Congressional Visits  
• Engage in Policy for Impact: Foundations on the Hill, March 4-6- blog post from Donors Forum (IL)
• Join us for Foundations on the Hill 2014- blog post from Philanthropy Northwest    

The Donors Forum of Wisconsin (DFW) is pleased to announce that Jill Van Calster has been named as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. 

Jill brings to DFW more than two decades of experience serving high profile Wisconsin nonprofit organizations. Most recently, Jill was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Curative Care Network. She has a true passion for and proven track record of developing and leading high performing teams with a focus on exceptional quality service and outcomes. In addition, she has revitalized underperforming service lines, executed mergers/collaborations between Curative and other nonprofit organizations, and developed and created new business opportunities. 

Read more about this announcement

The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) is now accepting nominations for its 2014 NCRP Impact Awards. 

They are looking for grantmaking organizations (not individuals) that are maximizing the effectiveness of their philanthropy by:  

• Attacking the root causes of social problems
• Empowering underserved communities
• Helping improve the sector as a whole through public leadership

Types of Awards

There will be one awardee for each of the following categories of grantmakers:  

• Large, Private Foundation (annual giving of $25 million or more)
• Small/Mid-Sized Private Foundation (annual giving less than $25 million)
• Corporate Foundation (any size)
• Grantmaking Public Charity (any size - this category includes community foundations, United Ways, public foundations, and other types of grantmaking public charities)

Learn more about the awards, including last year's awardees. Nominations are due by March 1.